Close to 300 consultants and more than 90 preferred suppliers are about to head north to attend the first ever Travelscene American Express National Consultants Conference being held in Cairns this weekend.

The decision to revitalise the Conference content to better reflect the diversity of Consultants' skills and experience across the Travelscene American Express group has paid off with strong representation from across the network and many offices sending multiple representatives.

"There's incredible support from Members with many agencies sending multiple consultants and the feedback from our Owners and Managers as well as their teams is that the content and approach is right on the money," Travelscene American Express General Manager Jacqui Timmins said.

Travelscene American Express is also launching the Travelscene American Express Consultant Awards at the NCC.

The Consultant Awards showcases individual agents and provides recognition for their achievements, and will include two voting categories; the Rising Star of the Year Award and the Consultant of the Year Award. "Given the challenges our industry faces in attracting and retaining quality staff, we continue to work with our Owners and Managers to identify ways to help them maintain the highest calibre of consultants within the industry," Ms Timmins said

"The Travelscene American Express Consultant Awards are a great way to celebrate the contribution and success of individual consultants to recognise their support of preferred suppliers, initiative and potential."

The finalists for the Inaugural Rising Star of the Year Award which celebrates potential and initiative are:

• Michelle Dekker, Champagne Travel Mandurah, WA
• Krystle Trueman, DBT Corporate Travel, NSW
• Lyn Judd, Travelling Places, QLD
• Meg Righele, Travelscene on Eastern Hill, VIC
• Emma Jones, Travelscene Mt Martha, VIC
• Candice Holt, Travelscene Toorak, VIC
• Kelly Meaker, Travelscene Tweed City, QLD

The finalists for the Inaugural Consultant of the Year Award for performance 'above and beyond' are:

• Amy Donald, Lifestyle Travel Ballarat, VIC
• Corinne Tranchitella, Noosa Cruise and Travel, QLD
• Kim Hatherly, Southside World Travel, NSW
• Hannah Moore, The Travel Authority, WA
• Connie White, Travel Associates Australia, WA
• Paul Maran, Travelscene Hampton, VIC

In addition, a range of Intermediate and Advanced levels of Business Workshops, "The Global Marketplace" Interactive Product Expo, exciting Keynote Speakers and Entertainment at the NCC Star Awards Dinner as well as post conference educationals will be available to Conference delegates.